Rugby league legend Manu Vatuvei has admitted importing methamphetamine.
Appearing in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday morning, the former NZ Warriors star pleaded guilty, through his lawyer Vivienne Feyen, to one representative charge of importing of the Class A drug.
Vatuvei, 35, had previously denied a series of methamphetamine related charges, including importation and possession for supply, which were laid in November 2019.
In May, he outed himself on social media as the sportsman facing drugs related charges, just days before his name suppression was due to lapse.
"Just wanted to get something off my chest, something that has been holding me down for a while now, and I'd rather you guys hear it from myself rather than anyone else in the media," Vatuvei said in the Instagram video.
He maintained his innocence and had entered not-guilty pleas to all charges.
"In 2019, I was charged with importation, possession, and supply of methamphetamine, all these charges are accusations, and I will be fighting my innocence for these charges," he said.
Manu Vatuvei, nicknamed 'The Beast', played 226 games for the Warriors, scoring 152 tries, and was regarded as one of the club's best wingers. He played 29 games for the Kiwis, as well as two for Mate Ma'a Tonga.
In 2019, he took part in and won Dancing with the Stars.
Vatuvei was initially charged along with other alleged co-offenders and his trial had been set down for Monday, but jury trials are currently unable to proceed under COVID's Alert Level 3 restrictions.
Instead, his guilty plea means his next appearance will be for sentencing on December 17.
The Crown has indicated it intends withdrawing any remaining charges then.
